ANDREW BONE: Tide going after help at linebacker

Alabama Football Practice

Rolando McClain (25) during a spring practice session at the UA football facility in Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa News Staff | Dan Lopez

Published: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, June 30, 2008 at 11:43 p.m.

Alabama football coach Nick Saban had a successful first full year recruiting prospects to Tuscaloosa by landing the nation's top class.

The Tide team is pencil-thin at the linebacker position with several needing to step up in order to fill key roles left vacant by off-the-field activities, specifically Jimmy Johns, who has been dismissed from the team.

Rolando McClain made a big impact in 2007, and the same is expected for players like freshmen Jerrell Harris, Don'ta Hightower and Mark Barron. The hunt is on for the class of 2009 with some hosses at the linebacker position already favoring the Tide.

Nico Johnson, Scout.com five-star middle linebacker from Andalusia High School and Tana Patrick, Scout.com four-star strong side linebacker from North Jackson High School in Stephenson are two who could fill the class in a big way.

The two players are at the top of Alabama's wish list, and the fact both are in-state prospects should help the Tide's chances even more to ink their signatures in February.

Johnson camped in Tuscaloosa in June and has visited the campus several times. He grew up a big fan of Alabama, but is not naming favorites. Johnson has received numerous offers from across the country including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Tennessee and the Souther Cal Trojans. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound prospect does not plan to make a decision until January.

'I have always been an Alabama fan,' Johnson has stated. 'People around here think because I have been an Alabama fan my whole life I will go there no matter what. I am going to weigh my options, but I really like them. They have a good program, and I grew up watching them.'

Tana Patrick's off-season shoulder surgery may have a few college coaches concerned about the health of the elite linebacker, but it has not stopped many as listing him as a priority. The Alabama staff is pushing hard for his signature based on Patrick's report along with Tennessee and Auburn.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound prospect, once considered a Georgia lean, is looking more favorably towards the in-state SEC schools. A decision is not expected anytime soon.

'The players and coaches at Alabama really stand out to me,' Patrick stated. 'They are dedicated to winning. That is what I am all about.'

Johnson and Patrick are high priorities, but the Alabama coaches have other high profile linebackers on the recruiting radar as well.

Damario Jeffery, Scout.com four-star weakside linebacker from Columbia High School in South Carolina, could become a part of the Tide's 2009 class before the 2008 season. Jeffery has ranked Alabama at or near the top of the list since the spring. He holds several scholarship offers and wants a shot at playing safety in Tuscaloosa. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound prospect hopes to make a decision at the end of summer.

'The facilities, the academic center, and they have Nick Saban as head coach,' Jeffery stated when asked his interest in Alabama.

Head coach Nick Saban is targeting the Miami area, and one school in particular is Gulliver Prep High School in Florida. Frankie Telfort, Scout.com four-star weakside linebacker, received an early offer from Alabama, and has added offers from across the country including Clemson, Florida, Notre Dame and Southern Cal. The Trojans appear to have his attention, but the 5-foot-11, 205-pound prospect plans to camp at Alabama in July.

Frank Crawford, Scout.com three-star safety, is teammates with Telfort and has high interest in Alabama. The 6-foot, 170-pound prospect holds an offer from the Tide as well, and the two could become a package deal.

Alabama was considered one of the front-runners for Jordan Barnes, Scout.com three-star weakside linebacker from Homestead High School in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Barnes made a decision last week and committed to the University of Michigan.

Three offensive linemen from the state of Georgia have committed to Alabama, and the staff would like to add a few Peach State linebackers as well.

Jonathan Atchison, Scout.com three-star strongside linebacker from Douglass High School in Atlanta, Ga., lists Alabama at the top of his list. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound prospect holds several offers, including one from Alabama, and expects to make a decision before the season.

Jarvis Jones, Scout.com four-star strongside linebacker from Carver High School in Columbus, Ga., has kept a low-profile concerning favorites. He reports an offer from Alabama, but Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Georgia have been considered the front-runners for the 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect.

Barkevious Mingo, Scout.com four-star strongside linebacker from West Monroe High School in La., lists LSU as an overall favorite. He plans to take a few visits before making a decision. Alabama has offered a scholarship and is considered No. 2 on the 6-foot-5, 210-pound prospect's list.

'Alabama has some good tradition too, and I really liked the campus there,' Mingo said. 'I like how it is laid out and how all the football stuff is in one area. It's really convenient. It's a nice place, and I like the dorms and stadium too.'

A few other linebackers remain on Alabama's radar including Greg King, from Melrose High School in Memphis, Tenn., Matt Coffee, three-star strongside linebacker from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Nigel Mitchell-Thornton, three-star linebacker from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga.

Look for the special recruiting edition of the Tuscaloosa News Friday, July 4th as we announce the top 50 prospects in Alabama.

<p>Alabama football coach Nick Saban had a successful first full year recruiting prospects to Tuscaloosa by landing the nation's top class.</p><p>The Tide team is pencil-thin at the linebacker position with several needing to step up in order to fill key roles left vacant by off-the-field activities, specifically Jimmy Johns, who has been dismissed from the team.</p><p>Rolando McClain made a big impact in 2007, and the same is expected for players like freshmen Jerrell Harris, Don'ta Hightower and Mark Barron. The hunt is on for the class of 2009 with some hosses at the linebacker position already favoring the Tide.</p><p>Nico Johnson, Scout.com five-star middle linebacker from Andalusia High School and Tana Patrick, Scout.com four-star strong side linebacker from North Jackson High School in Stephenson are two who could fill the class in a big way. </p><p>The two players are at the top of Alabama's wish list, and the fact both are in-state prospects should help the Tide's chances even more to ink their signatures in February.</p><p>Johnson camped in Tuscaloosa in June and has visited the campus several times. He grew up a big fan of Alabama, but is not naming favorites. Johnson has received numerous offers from across the country including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Tennessee and the Souther Cal Trojans. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound prospect does not plan to make a decision until January.</p><p>'I have always been an Alabama fan,' Johnson has stated. 'People around here think because I have been an Alabama fan my whole life I will go there no matter what. I am going to weigh my options, but I really like them. They have a good program, and I grew up watching them.'</p><p>Tana Patrick's off-season shoulder surgery may have a few college coaches concerned about the health of the elite linebacker, but it has not stopped many as listing him as a priority. The Alabama staff is pushing hard for his signature based on Patrick's report along with Tennessee and Auburn. </p><p>The 6-foot-3, 220-pound prospect, once considered a Georgia lean, is looking more favorably towards the in-state SEC schools. A decision is not expected anytime soon. </p><p>'The players and coaches at Alabama really stand out to me,' Patrick stated. 'They are dedicated to winning. That is what I am all about.'</p><p>Johnson and Patrick are high priorities, but the Alabama coaches have other high profile linebackers on the recruiting radar as well.</p><p>Damario Jeffery, Scout.com four-star weakside linebacker from Columbia High School in South Carolina, could become a part of the Tide's 2009 class before the 2008 season. Jeffery has ranked Alabama at or near the top of the list since the spring. He holds several scholarship offers and wants a shot at playing safety in Tuscaloosa. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound prospect hopes to make a decision at the end of summer.</p><p>'The facilities, the academic center, and they have Nick Saban as head coach,' Jeffery stated when asked his interest in Alabama. </p><p>Head coach Nick Saban is targeting the Miami area, and one school in particular is Gulliver Prep High School in Florida. Frankie Telfort, Scout.com four-star weakside linebacker, received an early offer from Alabama, and has added offers from across the country including Clemson, Florida, Notre Dame and Southern Cal. The Trojans appear to have his attention, but the 5-foot-11, 205-pound prospect plans to camp at Alabama in July.</p><p>Frank Crawford, Scout.com three-star safety, is teammates with Telfort and has high interest in Alabama. The 6-foot, 170-pound prospect holds an offer from the Tide as well, and the two could become a package deal. </p><p>Alabama was considered one of the front-runners for Jordan Barnes, Scout.com three-star weakside linebacker from Homestead High School in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Barnes made a decision last week and committed to the University of Michigan.</p><p>Three offensive linemen from the state of Georgia have committed to Alabama, and the staff would like to add a few Peach State linebackers as well. </p><p>Jonathan Atchison, Scout.com three-star strongside linebacker from Douglass High School in Atlanta, Ga., lists Alabama at the top of his list. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound prospect holds several offers, including one from Alabama, and expects to make a decision before the season. </p><p>Jarvis Jones, Scout.com four-star strongside linebacker from Carver High School in Columbus, Ga., has kept a low-profile concerning favorites. He reports an offer from Alabama, but Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Georgia have been considered the front-runners for the 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect. </p><p>Barkevious Mingo, Scout.com four-star strongside linebacker from West Monroe High School in La., lists LSU as an overall favorite. He plans to take a few visits before making a decision. Alabama has offered a scholarship and is considered No. 2 on the 6-foot-5, 210-pound prospect's list. </p><p>'Alabama has some good tradition too, and I really liked the campus there,' Mingo said. 'I like how it is laid out and how all the football stuff is in one area. It's really convenient. It's a nice place, and I like the dorms and stadium too.'</p><p>A few other linebackers remain on Alabama's radar including Greg King, from Melrose High School in Memphis, Tenn., Matt Coffee, three-star strongside linebacker from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Nigel Mitchell-Thornton, three-star linebacker from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga.</p><p>Look for the special recruiting edition of the Tuscaloosa News Friday, July 4th as we announce the top 50 prospects in Alabama.</p><p></p><p>Visit TideSports.com for Andrew Bone's recruiting coverage. Join us each Wednesday for recruiting chat sessions on-line from 1-2:00 p.m. </p><p>Reach Andrew Bone at abone@scout.com.</p>